Authors note; I apologise for not having posted for sooo long. I actually wrote this fic a long time ago and I've finished writing it. I moved house and started college (very busy) and I've started a new trilogy of fics which I submitted but am re-writing now.

Whoo hoo, I've finally worked out how to do formatting on ff.net!!!!!! So the mind speak is in italics no instead of the annoying little stars! YAY!

*Ahem* anyway on with the story

Chapter fifteen; How'd you make out last night?

Gryffindor beat Hufflepuff by 200 points and earned a place in the final against Slytherin and Harry doubled Quidditch practises to four times a week.

"Harry, are you trying to kill me?" moaned Ginny as she walked back to the Gryffindor common room with Harry and Ron.

"We've got to beat Slytherin, if we lose to them I'll never live it down." Harry worried.

"Harry we're the best team Hogwarts has seen in a long time, Dumbledore even said so." Ron pointed out.

"And our keeper is the most modest" Ginny added quietly.

The three reached the Great Hall in the slowest possible time, darkness had fallen and no-one had noticed. They were out past curfew.

"Dammit, I knew I should have bought my cloak" Harry mumbled as he peered around the corner, he motioned the others to follow. Harry felt a tug at his robe and turned,

"I hear something" whispered Ginny

"Yeah" said Ron sarcastically "It's Snape, can you imagine his face if…What?" Harry and Ginny were shaking their heads furiously looking white.

"He's behind me isn't she?" Ron said quietly.

"Yes he is." Said Snape silkily, "Please come to my office" The three Marauders followed Snap reluctantly.

"Well, well, well. Three Quidditch stars out after curfew. Three Gryffindor Quidditch stars out after curfew. Tut tut, what will Professor Dumbledore do with you?"

"Wearing jewellery potter! Magical jewellery is forbidden." Snape put his hand out to pull of Harry's necklace but Harry got is hand there first. Suddenly Snape turned and grabbed some white powder out of a pot and threw it into the fire.

"Professor Lupin, I wish to see you." The spinning figure of Lupin soon landed in the fire, stepping out of the fire, brushing off his robes, he said.

"You called Severus."

"You've given Potter and his little sheep your necklaces." Snape spat,

"Sorry Severus I have no idea…"

"Oh come on Remus, the amount of times I saw James and you wearing yours; The Mountaineers, or what ever it was you called yourselves."

"The Marauders," Lupin said slightly annoyed, "These necklaces hold no special magical powers except the ability to show the wearer something about themselves. I see no reason why they shouldn't be allowed to keep them" he added icily.

"50 Points each for being out of bed!"

"50, Severus. Are you sure, I saw you taking only 10 from someone from your house, not having favourites are we?" Harry was very grateful. A loss of 150 points would have put them behind Slytherin, 30 loss and they'd still be in the lead.

"Fine, 30 points will be taken from Gryffindor and a detention will be served with me tomorrow night. You are dismissed" Snape watched as the three Marauders and Lupin shuffled slowly out of the class room. Harry, Ron and Ginny ran all the way to the Gryffindor common room. If they had stuck around longer they would have heard Snape cry out in pain and fall to his knees clutching his left arm; just above the elbow.

 Ginny stumbled down the stairs away from her dorm into the common room silently calling for Harry. She sense him coming down the stairs and fell into his arms sobbing.

"I know"

"They're meeting. We have to tell Dumbledore"

Harry hated having to run off to the Professor every time his scar gave a twinge but this time it was burning profusely and he could hardly see, the pain was so bad. He didn't tell Ginny although the link between them soon told her all she needed to know. They stumbled along the corridor until they reached Dumbledore's office, the door opened automatically proving Harry's theory that Dumbledore knew when something was wrong.

"Mr Potter, Miss Weasley. What was it about?"

"The Death Eaters are meeting. They're planning something, an attack. I think… the details sort of slip away when I wake up."

"They're planning an attack," Ginny confirmed "I don't know where. It couldn't be here, could it Professor?"

"Would you two like to stay in my office tonight, it's a bit late to be wandering through the corridors." Harry and Ginny nodded, Harry's eyes felt like lead and he didn't think he would have been able to make it back to the common room anyway. Dumbledore conjured up to beds in the middle of the round room. Red and Gold blankets and pillows adorned them, Harry got into one and Ginny into the other as Dumbledore left.

"Thank you Professor" Harry whispered

"That's quite ok, Harry." Dumbledore replied sadly.

After about an hour Harry found he was awake again.

Gin, are you awake?"

"Yes"

"I wonder where the attack will be." Harry mused.

"Can you remember what it was like, to be normal?"

Harry gave a small snort.

"You're forgetting something. I'm Harry Potter, I've never been considered normal, even when I thought I was a muggle. I was always different to everyone else. Dudley made sure I had no friends, I slept in the cupboard under the stairs. Then I came here and found out that every kid knew who I was. I'm famous for something I can't even remember. But I know what you mean, the wars only been on for two years and I already can't remember what it was like before."

"Do you realise that if the war goes on for as long as it did last time you'll be 28 and I'll be 27. Harry, do you think he can ever die?"

Harry thought for a moment remembering something Hagrid had told him in his first year.

"Hagrid thought there wasn't enough human in him to die. I agree with him, I don't think he'll ever die." There was silence for a moment before the two both started to talk again.

"You go first" Ginny said

"Ok. I'm going to tell you something that I've never said before, so please don't laugh."

Ginny stayed silent.

"We've been together for nearly 6 months and I've fallen in love with you, big time. I just thought I'd tell you."

Harry lay in the dark with his eyes screwed shut holding his breath. Ginny hadn't said anything but then Harry felt something beside him. He rolled over to find Ginny snuggling beside him.

"I love you too" she whispered. Harry smiled to himself and put his arms around her. It was hard at that moment to feel worried about anything; even the war.

Harry and the rest of the Gryffindor Quidditch team stood just outside the entrance to the pitch. Harry wasn't speaking but was concentrating on remembering to breathe. They could hear Seamus announcing the Gryffindor team and the doors opened.

"Here comes Potter, Weasley, Weasley, Faraday, Faraday, Tylias and Hill." The team walked out onto the pitch to see the Slytherin team standing opposite them.

"Captains shake hands"

Harry and Malfoy stepped towards each other grasping hands.

"We're going to kick your arse" Whispered Malfoy under his breath so Madam Hooch wouldn't hear.

"Yeah, like you've done that so many times before" Harry whispered back then stepped back into the team only then noticing the broom Malfoy was carrying. Harry gasped; Malfoy was carrying a Lightning Phoenix, the broom he'd seen in Quality Quidditch Supplies when he and Ginny had gone into Diagon Alley.

"Mount your brooms" came Hooch's voice,

"This can't be good" Harry thought as Hooch blew her whistle. The game was furious from the beginning, Slytherin were playing dirty but Gryffindor were managing to keep out their way. Malfoy had given up on the habit of a life time and was shooting around on his new broom. It was faster than the Firebolt but Harry was the superior seeker, and he hoped that was all that counted.

"It's half and hour into the game and the score stands 50:20 to Gryffindor." Rang out Seamus' voice. After another 30 minutes the score was 30: 100, Harry was praying his chasers would keep this up because if Slytherin caught the snitch now Gryffindor would lose.

The match was the longest Harry had ever played in, it had been running for nearly an hour and a half and Gryffindor were in the lead; 150:30, when all of a sudden Harry saw Malfoy dive. Swearing to himself Harry tore after him. It seemed to Harry that Malfoy was slowing up and letting him catch up. Harry sensed something was wrong and scanned the area they were heading for. There was no familiar gold glint so Harry pulled out of the dive. Malfoy had tried a Wronksi Feint but it hadn't worked. Malfoy was furious he sped over to one of his beaters and grabbed the bat. He smacked a bludger at Harry head but Harry saw it coming and was forced to roll over losing his purchase on the broom handle he was hanging by one hand. Malfoy was laughing through tears but soon stopped when Madam Hooch blew her whistle and gave Gryffindor a penalty. Harry swung back up on his broom and turned to watch Leah score a spectacular goal.

After another 15 minutes Slytherin scored again the score was now 40:200 to Gryffindor when Harry saw it. The golden snitch was hovering a hundred metres or so away from him a few feet above the ground. Harry dived but saw Malfoy under him flying fast towards the gold ball. Harry watched as Malfoy's hand closed around the tiny ball, its gold wings beating pathetically against his hands. Malfoy landed on the floor a triumphant look on his face. The crowd was silent, until Hermione stood up.

"WE WON!" she shouted.

The teams landed as the Gryffindor fans slowly counted up the points. The cheering started quietly but as more people realised the result the louder it got.

"GRYFFINDOR WIN! MALFOY CATCHES THE SNITCH BUT GRYFFINODR WIN!" shouted Seamus over the tumultuous screaming. Malfoy was looking around in surprise, he turned to his team who were looking murderous,

"But… but… I caught the snitch" he said indignantly.

Meanwhile the Gryffindors poured onto the pitch and hoisted their heroes into the air.

The party which followed was the best on record, Fred and George would have been proud. The team was hoisted up onto tables in the common room with several cries of "Speech" aimed at Harry.

"Well I'd just like to thank are wonderful chasers without whom we would have lost; Ginny Weasley; my gorgeous girlfriend, Leah Faraday and Laura Faraday. Also are superb keeper; Mr Ron Weasley for saving… I don't know how many goals. Our evil beaters; for sending so many Bludgers Malfoy's way." At this there were huge cheers and Peter and David took a bow. "As for me, well I didn't really do much."

"You got us too the final" reminded Ron,

"You're our coach, what do you mean you didn't do anything!" Ginny exclaimed, Harry laughed and there were several shouts of "Kiss her!" from the crowd. Harry obliged and swung Ginny around like they did at the end of the movies and kissed her.

He stood her up and she was all embarrassed and hit Harry on the arm. The party went on well into the night and only stopped when Mcgonagol came in for the third time and threatened to go and get Snape.

"It's a Hogsmede weekend tomorrow, remember? If you don't sleep then you won't get up in time." She reminded them as the crowds departed and headed up to there separate dorms.

Ginny and Harry sat on the horseless carriage listening to Ron and Hermione bicker. It was slightly half hearted and Harry hadn't missed how close they were sitting or the way Ron's ears were staying red. Harry nudged Ginny and she grinned,

"So guys, how did you make out last night?" Harry sniggered at Ginny remark. Hermione and Ron blushed and Ron said

"I really don't know what…"

"Oh come on guys, it's really obvious" added Harry. Hermione and Ron stayed silent.

"So…" Ginny prompted.

"Me and Ron… We…" The carriage jolted to a halt and Ron and Hermione jumped out and ran up the road hand in hand shouting,

"Meet you for a butter beer at 5:00!" Harry and Ginny got down slowly shaking their heads at the two.

"So…." Said Harry "What are we going to do with our four hours, alone" Harry wiggled his eyebrows suggestively and Ginny giggled.

"Well knowing our luck Pavarti and Lavender are just about to come around the corner."  

They stood there for five minutes watching the corner but no-one but a couple of haggard looking wizards walked by.

"I'm hot, let's go get a drink" They walked down to the Three Broomsticks and Ginny sat down as Harry ordered a couple of cold drinks. They had just sat down and were just discussing Hermione and Ron when a scream and a smash came from the bar. Harry and Ginny jumped up.

"Wait here" said Harry

"Harry… Wait!" Ginny whispered. Harry nodded and along with a few other wizards they ran up to the bar. Madam Rosmerta came out form behind the bar waving her hands in front of her face.

"What happened?" Asked a young wizard.

"I thought I saw a death eater out side but it wasn't" she breathed. The crowd dispersed and Harry and Ginny sat back down. 30 seconds after they'd sat down Ginny jumped and gave a squeal.

"Ah! Something ran over my foot, a furry something!" Harry laughed

"Relax Hun. It was probably just a mouse or a rat."

"Oh that makes me feel better" Ginny mumbled sarcastically before bringing her legs up onto the bench.

They talked for a few more minuets before Harry made a strange face.

"Is it just me or are there bits in this drink?" asked Harry casting a suspicious eye into his glass. Ginny laughed and shook at her head at Harry.

"What are we doing now?"

"Well I need some more dried spiders for potions, I'm almost out."

"I need some St Johns Wort so we can go there next, them maybe we could go up to the Shrieking Shack" asked Ginny taking a sip of her drink.

"Why?"

"I've only ever been up there once and I'd like to see it again." Harry nodded and they pushed their chairs back, drained their glasses and walked onto the street. They walked to the apothecary and had a good laugh at Malfoy who looked as if he was being dumped by Pansy. After they had their ingredients they walked slowly up to the shrieking shack talking about nothing in particular. Ginny looked around in surprise,

"Hey, we're alone"

"Hope you aren't suggesting anything that your brothers wouldn't approve of." Harry teased

"No…" Ginny cut herself off. "I feel weird." Ginny's vision was blurring in and out of vision.

"Now you mention it, me too."

 They fell to their knees as the surroundings swam in front of them. Just before Harry blacked out it came to him.

"Drugged" he croaked, and then he knew no more.